♤ Influence of legislations on Marriage:

o Dowry Prohibition Act, 1996 , Domestic Violence Act( DVA) , 2005, etc - have made the position of women stronger .Now the women are given justice against the "invisible violence" at home-physical and verbal abuse,etc which they used to go through either because of dowry demands or otherwise.The DVA, 2005, includes in its ambit live-in partners caters to the changing dynamics of relationships.

o The ‘divorce’ laws have been made more flexible with the amendment of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 in 1986, by including the ground of ‘incompatibility’ and ‘mutual consent’ apart from the reasons provided earlier like adultery, conversion of religion, etc. This has led to the institution of marriage more susceptible to conflicts, fights, giving lesser scope to “compromise” and time to save marriage and family. But on the other hand, it also gave the option to both men and women to come out of a “bad marriage” which they otherwise used to be in just to fulfil societal obligations.

o Women are given right in the ancestral property and a legal right to share property along with male members, after the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 was amended in 2005. This has made the economic position of women stronger.

However, despite changes, the core values in the institutions of marriage and family are still intact. Mutual fidelity and devotion is still respected.